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Olly Murs compares his X Factor fate to Chris Evans’ Top Gear exit

Olly Murs has compared his X Factor exit to Chris Evans’ failure at Top Gear.

Murs hosted the ITV reality show last year alongside Caroline Flack, during which he made a couple of high profile errors including prematurely announcing which contestant would be leaving the show. Dermot O’Leary is returning to host the series this year after just one year away from the role.

Speaking to Virgin Radio’s Total Access, Murs described his time as X Factor host as “a bit like Chris Evans coming into Top Gear“.

He said: “Chris Evans is not a bad presenter – he’s amazing and one of the best – but when you fill in for someone like Jeremy Clarkson, there’s very big shoes to fill.”

“[It’s a] bit like when me and Caroline did X Factor. What Simon’s done is brought back a lot of the familiar faces. I’m sure it’ll be a success.”

Murs continued to say that he expected the new series, which sees the returns of Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger to the judging panel, will be a success.

Chris Evans stepped down from his presenting gig at Top Gear after a plagued first series with the motoring show, during which the last episode received the show’s lowest ratings since 2002. He received heavy criticism for trying to imitate former host Jeremy Clarkson, rather than make the position his own.

Co-host Matt LeBlanc is expected to stay with Top Gear, which he will now present alone.

The X Factor is expected to return to ITV in late August, as per previous years.